We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Project: MicroDrink - Capacity building for management and governance of MICROplastics in DRINKing water resources of Danube Region
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers initiated the MicroDrink project, an EU-funded Interreg Danube Region Programme initiative, to build institutional capacity for managing and governing microplastic contamination in drinking water resources across the Danube region starting in January 2024.
The Faculty of Mining and Geology, is one of 11 participants in the project “MicroDrink - Capacity building for management and governance of MICROplastics in DRINKing water resources of Danube Region” co-funded by the European Union, approved in the first call of the The Interreg Danube Region Programme (DRP) 2021-2027. The implementation of the project began on 1.1.2024, and the Croatian Geological Institute (HGI) has the role of project leader. During the planned duration of 30 months, 11 project partners (https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/microdrink/about-us) will be engaged in researching the growing and ubiquitous problem of microplastics in water resources used for water supply. Techniques such as FTIR and Raman spectroscopy are among the most commonly used due to their ability to provide detailed analysis and identification of plastic polymers. However, these methods come with drawbacks, including high costs, the need for specialized training, and their time-intensive nature. Other techniques, such as Py-GCMS and SEM, are also utilized, but their availability and use largely depend on the resources and priorities of each country. The MicroDrink project will contribute to the standardization of sampling and analysis methods, as well as to the strengthening of cooperation between public administrations, water supply companies and the scientific community, as well as to the improvement of relations between the countries of the Danube region. Among the several issues, one of the critical ones is a lack of standardization across the region, with some countries having modern and state-of-the-art equipment while the others are still in the process of building their capacity. The research on the presence of microplastics in drinking water resources will be carried out in 9 pilot areas in all 8 countries. The project partnership created an online database with a comprehensive overview of sampling methods, laboratory instruments and analytical procedures, and will create tool to assist in decision-making in case of risk of increased microplastic content in water supply systems.
More Papers Like This
MicroDrink project: regional cooperation in the danube basin harmonized with the EU drinking water directive microplastic monitoring
AI summary Read the abstract
The MicroDrink project investigated microplastic occurrence and effects in the Danube River Basin's surface and groundwater used for drinking water, coordinating monitoring across multiple countries. The study found microplastics throughout the basin, including in drinking water sources, and identified regional variation in contamination levels.
MicroDrink project: regional cooperation in the danube basin harmonized with the EU drinking water directive microplastic monitoring
AI summary Read the abstract
The MicroDrink project coordinated microplastic monitoring across the Danube River Basin, harmonizing methods to assess MP occurrence in surface water and groundwater used for drinking water supply across multiple countries. The regional cooperation approach produced comparable data on microplastic contamination in a major transboundary river system supplying drinking water to millions.
Putting microplastics in the picture
AI summary Read the abstract
This article reports that large quantities of microplastics are present in European drinking water supplies and highlights the work of the MicroDrink project, which is developing monitoring capacity for microplastics in drinking water across countries that currently lack such infrastructure.
Addressing Microplastic Monitoring Challenges in Drinking Water Resources in the Danube River Basin: Towards Standardization and Capacity Building
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines microplastic monitoring challenges across the Danube River Basin drinking water resources, comparing FTIR and Raman spectroscopy approaches used by different countries and making the case for standardized protocols and capacity-building initiatives to enable comparable data across the basin.
The MicroDrink Knowledge Base: A Multilingual Platform for Harmonizing Microplastic Monitoring in Drinking Water Across the Danube Region
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists created a new online database to help countries better track tiny plastic particles (called microplastics) in drinking water across Europe's Danube River region. Right now, different countries use different methods to test for these particles, making it hard to compare results and work together on solutions. This new platform brings all the testing methods and information together in one place, which should help protect drinking water quality more effectively across multiple countries.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.